Registration includes the Triple-Helix Dialogue from 3pm - 5:15pm that clusters are encouraged to attend.

Now in its 4th year, the BlueTech Cluster Convening is the largest gathering of BlueTech clusters from around the world and fosters cluster-cluster collaboration, information sharing and vision setting for the global BlueTech Cluster Alliance (BTCA). In 2016 there were 11 clusters from 8 countries and in 2017 there were 18 clusters or forming clusters from 11 countries and 7 U.S. states represented. In 2018, we anticipate there will be 18-20+ clusters represented from 12+ countries.

The Maritime Alliance believes in order to promote sustainable development internationally it is necessary to foster a network of regional clusters that think globally and act locally. In January 2017, TMA helped launch the BTCA that now includes 10 clusters from 8 countries (Canada, France, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, UK and US). BTCA will be expanding membership to other industry-led BlueTech clusters that have capacity to attend international events like BlueTech Week and have a history of demonstrable collaboration with other clusters.

After the clusters convening, starting at 3pm there will be a 2-hour Triple-Helix Dialogue with senior representatives of the academic research community, government and industry to foster cross-discipline collaboration. The first Blue Economy Triple-Helix Dialogue was in London preceding Oceanology International in March 2018 and the second dialogue was in Galway in June 2018 as part of the Our Ocean Wealth Conference. BlueTech Week will be the host for the 3rd Blue Economy Triple-Helix Dialogue.